Measuring the &#34;on-skin&#34; time of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (tens) device in order to minimize skin irritation due to excessive uninterrupted wearing of the same

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to a user, the apparatus comprising: a stimulation unit for electrically stimulating at least one nerve of the user; an electrode array connectable to the stimulation unit, the electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes for electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve of the user; a monitoring unit electrically connected to the stimulation unit for monitoring the on-skin status of the electrode array; an analysis unit for analyzing the on-skin status of the electrode array to determine the effective on-skin time of the electrode array; and a feedback unit for alerting the user when the analysis unit determine that the effective on-skin time exceeds a threshold.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application:

(1) is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/610,757, filed Jan. 30, 2015 by NeuroMetrix, Inc. and Shai N. Gozani et al. for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELIEVING PAIN USING TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-5960 CON), which patent application in turn:

-   -   (A) is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No.         13/678,221, filed Nov. 15, 2012 by NeuroMetrix, Inc. and Shai N.         Gozani et al. for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELIEVING PAIN USING         TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (Attorney's Docket         No. NEURO-5960), which in turn claims benefit of:         -   (i) prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.             61/560,029, filed Nov. 15, 2011 by Shai N. Gozani for SENSUS             OPERATING MODEL (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-59 PROV); and         -   (ii) prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.             61/657,382, filed Jun. 8, 2012 by Shai N. Gozani et al. for             APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELIEVING PAIN USING TRANSCUTANEOUS             ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-60             PROV);

(2) is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/269,887, filed May 5, 2014 by NeuroMetrix, Inc. and Thomas Ferree et al. for TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR WITH USER GESTURE DETECTOR AND ELECTRODE-SKIN CONTACT DETECTOR, WITH TRANSIENT MOTION DETECTOR FOR INCREASING THE ACCURACY OF THE SAME (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-6667), which patent application in turn:

-   -   (A) is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S. patent         application Ser. No. 14/230,648, filed Mar. 31, 2014 by         Neurometrix, Inc. and Shai Gozani et al. for DETECTING CUTANEOUS         ELECTRODE PEELING USING ELECTRODE-SKIN IMPEDANCE (Attorney's         Docket No. NEURO-64), which claims benefit of:         -   (i) prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.             61/806,481, filed Mar. 29, 2013 by Shai Gozani for DETECTING             ELECTRODE PEELING BY RELATIVE CHANGES IN SKIN-ELECTRODE             IMPEDANCE (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-64 PROV);     -   (B) is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S. patent         application Ser. No. 14/253,628, filed Apr. 15, 2014 by         Neurometrix, Inc. and Shai Gozani et al. for TRANSCUTANEOUS         ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR WITH AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF USER         SLEEP-WAKE STATE (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-65), which claims         benefit of:         -   (i) prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.             61/811,864, filed Apr. 15, 2013 by Shai Gozani for             TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR WITH AUTOMATIC             DETECTION OF PATIENT SLEEP-WAKE STATE (Attorney's Docket No.             NEURO-65 PROV);     -   (C) claims benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application         Ser. No. 61/819,159, filed May 3, 2013 by Neurometrix, Inc. and         Thomas Ferree et al. for TAP DETECTOR WITH HIGH SENSITIVITY AND         SPECIFICITY FOR A WEARABLE TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE         STIMULATOR (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-66 PROV); and     -   (D) claims benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application         Ser. No. 61/858,150, filed Jul. 25, 2013 by Neurometrix, Inc.         and Andres Aguirre et al. for MOVEMENT REGULATED TRIP CONDITIONS         IN A WEARABLE TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR         (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-67 PROV); and

(3) claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/021,807, filed Jul. 8, 2014 by Neurometrix, Inc. and Xuan Kong et al. for MEASURING TENS DEVICE ON-SKIN TIME TO PREVENT AND MINIMIZE SKIN IRRITATION (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-73 PROV).

The twelve (12) above-identified patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices that deliver electrical currents across the intact skin of a user via electrodes so as to provide symptomatic relief of chronic pain, and more particularly to the measurement of the “on-skin” time of the TENS device in order to minimize skin irritation due to excessive uninterrupted wearing of the TENS device and to profile TENS therapy patterns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) devices apply electrical currents to a particular area of the human body in order to suppress pain. The most common form of TENS is commonly referred to as “conventional TENS”. In conventional TENS, electrodes are placed on the user's skin within, or adjacent to, or proximal to, the area of pain. An electrical circuit generates stimulation pulses with specified characteristics. One or more pairs of electrodes, placed on the user's skin, transduce the electrical pulses and thereby stimulate underlying nerves in order to relieve pain. TENS electrodes typically utilize hydrogels to create a stable low-impedance electrode-skin interface to facilitate the delivery of electrical current to the user so as to stimulate peripheral sensory nerves. Close contact of the electrode (both gel pads and backing materials) with the skin of the user creates a temporary barrier that limits the covered skin area from being exposed to the air.

Pain relief from TENS stimulation usually begins within 15 minutes of the stimulation onset and may last up to an hour following the completion of the stimulation period (also known as a “therapy session”). Each therapy session typically runs for 30-60 minutes. To maintain pain relief (i.e., hypoalgesia), TENS therapy sessions typically need to be initiated at regular intervals. Newly developed wearable TENS devices such as the QUELL™ system developed by Neurometrix, Inc. of Waltham, Mass., USA provide users with an option to automatically restart therapy sessions at pre-determined time intervals.

The convenience of “wear-and-forget” TENS technology may lead some users to wear the TENS device for an extended period of time without removing the device from the contacted skin area. Covering the skin area with a TENS device for an extended period of time may cause skin irritation for the user. It is therefore important to monitor the “on-skin” time duration of the TENS device and, where the “on-skin” time duration exceeds a limit, to provide the user with feedback and a reminder (prompt) to “air-out” the skin under the device (i.e., by temporarily removing the TENS device from the user's skin).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel TENS device which consists of a stimulator designed to be placed on a user's upper calf (or other anatomical location) and a pre-configured electrode array designed to provide circumferential stimulation in the area of the user's upper calf (or other anatomical location). A key feature of the present invention is that the TENS device is adapted to measure the on-skin time of the TENS device. When the on-skin time exceeds a threshold value, feedback and a reminder (prompt) are provided to the user as a reminder to remove the TENS device from the covered skin area in order to allow the skin area to “air-out”. Regularly airing-out covered skin areas is an effective means to minimize skin irritation, which is the most frequently reported side effect of TENS therapy.

In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to a user, said apparatus comprising:

a stimulation unit for electrically stimulating at least one nerve of the user;

an electrode array connectable to said stimulation unit, said electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes for electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve of the user;

a monitoring unit electrically connected to said stimulation unit for monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array;

an analysis unit for analyzing said on-skin status of said electrode array to determine the effective on-skin time of said electrode array; and

a feedback unit for alerting the user when said analysis unit determines that the effective on-skin time exceeds a threshold.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a method for monitoring the on-skin time of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device for providing TENS therapy to at least one nerve of a user through an electrode array, said method comprising the steps of:

applying the electrode array to the surface of the user's skin to provide electrical contact between the electrode array and the skin of the user;

electrically stimulating said at least one nerve of the user with an electrical stimulator connected to the electrode array;

monitoring the on-skin status of the electrode array;

analyzing the on-skin status of the electrode array to determine the effective on-skin time; and

alerting the user of the effective on-skin time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a novel TENS device formed in accordance with the present invention, wherein the novel TENS device is mounted to the upper calf of a user;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the novel TENS device of FIG. 1 in greater detail;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the electrode array of the novel TENS device of FIG. 1 in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing apparatus for determining the on-skin time of the TENS device of FIG. 1 during a therapy period;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the equivalent circuit for the apparatus of FIG. 4 during a therapy period and when the TENS device is on-skin;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the equivalent circuit for the apparatus of FIG. 4 during a therapy period and when the TENS device is off-skin;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing apparatus for determining the on-skin time of the TENS device of FIG. 1 during a non-therapy period;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the equivalent circuit for the apparatus of FIG. 7 during a non-therapy period and when the TENS device is on-skin; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the equivalent circuit for the apparatus of FIG. 7 during a non-therapy period and when the TENS device is off-skin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a novel TENS device 100 formed in accordance with the present invention, with the novel TENS device 100 being shown worn on a user's upper calf 140. A user may wear TENS device 100 on one or both legs (either one at a time or simultaneously).

TENS device 100 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 and preferably comprises three components: a stimulator 105, a strap 110, and an electrode array 120. Stimulator 105 preferably comprises multiple mechanically and electrically inter-connected compartments. In the exemplary TENS device 100 shown in FIG. 2, three compartments 101, 102, and 103 are shown. Compartments 101, 102, 103 are inter-connected by hinge mechanisms 104 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 2), thereby allowing TENS device 100 to conform to the curved anatomy of a user's leg. In a preferred embodiment, compartment 102 contains the TENS stimulation circuitry (hardware and software) and user interface elements 106 and 108. In a preferred embodiment, compartments 101 and 103 are smaller, auxiliary compartments that house a battery for powering the TENS stimulation circuitry and other ancillary elements, such as a wireless interface unit for allowing TENS device 100 to wirelessly communicate with other elements (e.g., a remote server, a smartphone, etc.). In another embodiment of the present invention, only one compartment 102 may be provided, in which case the single compartment 102 houses all of the TENS stimulation circuitry (hardware and software), battery and other ancillary elements, without the need for side compartments 101 and 103.

Still looking at FIG. 2, interface element 106 preferably comprises a push button for user control of electrical stimulation by TENS device 100, and interface element 108 preferably comprises an LED for indicating stimulation status and providing other feedback to the user. Additional user interface elements (e.g., an LCD display, audio feedback through a beeper or voice output, haptic devices such as a vibrating element, etc.) are also contemplated and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is designed to be worn on the user's upper calf 140 as shown in FIG. 1 (although the TENS device could also be worn on other anatomical locations). TENS device 100, comprising stimulator 105, electrode array 120, and strap 110, is secured to upper calf 140 (or other anatomical location) by placing the apparatus in position and then tightening strap 110. More particularly, in one preferred form of the invention, electrode array 120 is deliberately sized and configured so that it will apply appropriate electrical stimulation to the appropriate anatomy of the user regardless of the specific rotational position of TENS device 100 on the leg (or other anatomical location) of the user. Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises placement of the TENS device on the upper calf of the user, additional locations (such as above the knee, on an upper extremity, etc.) are also contemplated and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the TENS device may be placed on other anatomical locations of the user, e.g., the lower back of the user (however, it will be appreciated that in some of these alternative anatomical locations, electrode array 120 may not be able to supply appropriate electrical stimulation to the appropriate anatomy of the user regardless of the specific rotational position of the TENS device 100 on the anatomy of the user).

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of electrode array 120. Electrode array 120 preferably comprises four discrete electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158, each having an equal or similar size (i.e., an equal or similar size surface area). Electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158 are preferably connected in pairs so that electrodes 154 and 156 (representing the cathode of TENS device 100) are electrically connected to one another (e.g., via connector 155), and so that electrodes 152 and 158 (representing the anode of TENS device 100) are electrically connected to one another (e.g., via connector 157). It should be appreciated that electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158 are preferably appropriately sized, and connected in pairs, so as to ensure adequate skin coverage regardless of the rotational position of TENS device 100 (and hence regardless of the rotational position of electrode array 120) on the leg (or other anatomical location) of a user. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158 are not connected in an interleaved fashion, but rather are connected so that the two inside electrodes 154, 156 are connected to one another, and so that the two outside electrodes 152, 158 are connected to one another. This electrode connection pattern ensures that if the two outer electrodes 152, 158 should inadvertently come into contact with one another, an electrical short of the stimulation current flowing directly from cathode to anode will not occur (i.e., the electrode connection pattern ensures that the therapeutic TENS current is always directed through the tissue of the user).

Electrical current (i.e., for therapeutic electrical stimulation to the tissue) is provided to the electrode pairs 154, 156 and 152, 158 by connectors 160, 162 which mate with complementary connectors 210, 212, respectively, on stimulator 105 (see FIGS. 4 and 7). Stimulator 105 generates electrical currents that are passed through electrodes 154, 156 and electrodes 152, 158 via connectors 160, 162, respectively.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the skin-contacting conductive material of electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158 is a hydrogel material which is “built into” electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158. The function of the hydrogel material on the electrodes is to serve as an interface between the electrodes 152, 154, 156, 158 and the skin of the user (i.e., within, or adjacent to, or proximal to, the portion of the user's body in which the sensory nerves which are to be stimulated reside). Other types of electrodes such as dry electrodes and non-contact stimulation electrodes have also been contemplated and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Further details regarding the construction and use of the various aspects of TENS device 100 are disclosed in (1) pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/610,757, filed Jan. 30, 2015 by NeuroMetrix, Inc. and Shai N. Gozani et al. for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELIEVING PAIN USING TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-5960 CON) and the patent applications incorporated therein by reference; (2) pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/230,648, filed Mar. 31, 2014 by Neurometrix, Inc. and Shai Gozani et al. for DETECTING CUTANEOUS ELECTRODE PEELING USING ELECTRODE-SKIN IMPEDANCE (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-64) and the patent applications incorporated therein by reference; (3) pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/253,628, filed Apr. 15, 2014 by Neurometrix, Inc. and Shai Gozani et al. for TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR WITH AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF USER SLEEP-WAKE STATE (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-65) and the patent applications incorporated therein by reference; and (4) pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/269,887, filed May 5, 2014 by NeuroMetrix, Inc. and Thomas Ferree et al. for TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATOR WITH USER GESTURE DETECTOR AND ELECTRODE-SKIN CONTACT DETECTOR, WITH TRANSIENT MOTION DETECTOR FOR INCREASING THE ACCURACY OF THE SAME (Attorney's Docket No. NEURO-6667) and the patent applications incorporated therein by reference; all of which foregoing patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Wearing the TENS device for an extended period of time without removing the TENS device from the contacted skin area may cause skin irritation for the user. It is therefore important to monitor the “on-skin” time duration of the TENS device and, where the “on-skin” time duration exceeds a limit, to provide the user with feedback and a reminder (prompt) to “air-out” the skin under the TENS device. By way of example but not limitation, this “airing-out” can be accomplished by removing the TENS device from the user's body altogether, or by repositioning the TENS device on the contralateral limb of the user, etc.

In view of the foregoing, the present invention comprises the provision and use of a novel TENS device which includes novel means to determine its on-skin time duration (e.g., the period of time over which the TENS device, including its electrodes, maintains constant, uninterrupted contact with the user's skin).

On-Skin Time During Therapy Period

During a period when the TENS device is providing active therapy to the user, current pulses with an intensity and duration optimized for therapeutic purposes are delivered to the user through the electrode-skin interface created by the electrodes placed on the skin and electrically connected to the stimulation circuitry of the TENS stimulator. During the therapy period, the presence or absence of electrode-skin contact (i.e., whether the TENS device is on-skin or off-skin) can be determined by measuring the stimulation current which is already flowing through the TENS device (i.e., so as to provide therapeutic nerve stimulation to the user).

More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. Stimulator 105 of TENS device 100 comprises a monitoring unit 500 which measures the stimulation current flowing through TENS device 100 so as to determine the occurrence of an on-skin condition. As seen in FIG. 4, monitoring unit 500 comprises a current source 238 which is programmed to deliver a stimulation current pulse Is (in one preferred form of the invention, Is=20 mA) when voltage source 204 is applied to the anode terminal 212 of TENS stimulator 105 by closing the switch 220. If the TENS device is being worn by the user, then user skin 430, interposed between anode electrode 420 (i.e., anode electrodes, 152, 158) and cathode electrode 432 (i.e., cathode electrodes 154, 156), will form an equivalent impedance 208 (i.e., Re), as shown in FIG. 5. The equivalent impedance 208 is also referred to as a stimulator load for the TENS device.

More particularly, when TENS device 100 is on the skin of the user, the equivalent circuit 280 shown in FIG. 5 approximates the real-world system of TENS device 100 and the body of the user. The current produced by current source 238 can then be sensed through the current sensing resistor 236 (e.g., Ra). The cathode voltage measured from the amplifier 237 will be non-zero and close to the target value of Is*Ra.

On the other hand, when the TENS device is not on the skin of the user, the equivalent circuit 290 (FIG. 6) represents the real-world system of TENS device 100 and the body of the user, and the current-sensing voltage measured from amplifier 237 will be zero.

If the stimulating current Is is of a reasonable magnitude and cannot be sensed (i.e., if the output of amplifier 237 is effectively zero), one may conclude that no electrode-skin contact is occurring (i.e., that the TENS device is “off-skin”). Otherwise, the TENS device is considered to be on-skin and classifying unit 502 of monitoring unit 500 will “set a flag” indicative of the on-skin condition. Analysis unit 505 reads the flags set by classifying unit 502 and, using this information, determines the on-skin time duration of the therapy periods. When the on-skin time duration meets a predetermined threshold, analysis unit 505 causes feedback unit 510 (e.g., a vibration module) to provide an appropriate alert to the user.

Thus, monitoring unit 500 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which identifies when the current sensing voltage output by amplifier 237 indicates the presence of an on-skin condition for TENS device 100. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of monitoring unit 500 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

And classifying unit 502 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which “sets a flag” indicative of the on-skin condition for TENS device 100. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of classifying unit 502 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

And analysis unit 505 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which monitors the flags set by classifying unit 502 and determines the on-skin time duration for TENS device 100 during the therapy periods and, when the on-skin time meets a predetermined threshold, sends an alert instruction to feedback unit 510. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of analysis unit 505 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

And feedback unit 510 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which, when it receives the alert instruction from analysis unit 505, appropriately alerts the user. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of feedback unit 510 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

On-Skin Time During Non-Therapy Period

Novel TENS device 100 is also provided with means to measure electrode-skin contact time when the TENS device is not actively providing TENS stimulation to the user, i.e., by providing means for monitoring the device's on-skin status during a non-therapy period. The ability to monitor the device's on-skin status under non-stimulation conditions is important, inasmuch as a user may wear the TENS device for a much longer period of time than the total stimulation time, which can result in excessive on-skin time.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. Stimulator 105 of TENS device 100 also comprises a monitoring unit 512 which measures the cathode voltage of TENS device 100 so as to determine the occurrence of an on-skin condition. As seen in FIG. 7, in this form of the invention, when TENS device 100 is in its non-therapy mode, a voltage of 20 volts from voltage source 204 is applied to the anode terminal 212 of TENS stimulator 105 by closing the switch 220. If the TENS device is worn by the user, then user skin 430, interposed between anode electrode 420 (i.e., anode electrodes, 152, 158) and cathode electrode 432 (i.e., cathode electrodes 154, 156), will form an equivalent impedance 208 in a voltage divider circuit. The equivalent impedance 208 is also referred to as a stimulator load of the TENS device.

More particularly, when TENS device 100 is on the skin of the user, the equivalent circuit 260 shown in FIG. 8 represents the real-world system of TENS device 100 and the body of the user, and the anode voltage (e.g., voltage Va of voltage source 204) can be sensed through the voltage divider impedances 206 (i.e., Rc) and 208 (i.e., Re). The cathode voltage measured from the amplifier 207 will be non-zero and close to the anode voltage Va of voltage source 204 when voltage divider Rc (206) is chosen such that Rc is much larger than the expected electrode-skin impedance Re. By way of example but not limitation, in one preferred form of the invention, Rc is chosen to have a value of 1,000,000 ohms when Re is expected to have a value of 100,000 ohms.

On the other hand, when TENS device 100 is not on the skin of the user, the equivalent circuit 270 (FIG. 9) represents the real-world system of TENS device 100 and the body of the user, and the cathode voltage from amplifier 207 will be zero.

Thus, where the cathode voltage measured from the amplifier 207 is non-zero and close to the anode voltage Va of voltage source 204, one may conclude that electrode-skin contact is occurring (i.e., that TENS device 100 is “on-skin”), and classifying unit 513 of monitoring unit 512 will “set a flag” indicative of the on-skin condition. Analysis unit 505 reads the flags set by classifying unit 513 and, using this information, determines the on-skin time duration of TENS device 100 during non-therapy periods. When the on-skin time meets a predetermined threshold, analysis unit 505 causes feedback unit 510 (e.g., a vibration module) to provide an appropriate alert to the user.

Thus, monitoring unit 512 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which identifies when the cathode voltage output by amplifier 207 indicates the presence of an on-skin condition. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of monitoring unit 512 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

And classifying unit 513 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which “sets a flag” indicative of the on-skin condition for TENS device 100. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of classifying unit 513 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

And analysis unit 505 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which monitors the flags set by classifying unit 513 and determines the on-skin time duration for TENS device 100 during the non-therapy periods and, when the on-skin time meets a predetermined threshold, sends an alert instruction to feedback unit 510. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of analysis unit 505 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

And feedback unit 510 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module which, when it receives the alert instruction from analysis unit 505, appropriately alerts the user. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of feedback unit 510 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

Use of Two Different Cathode-Side Detection Circuits to Identify the on-Skin Time of the TENS Device, Depending on Whether the TENS Device is in Therapy Mode or Non-Therapy Mode

Thus it will be seen that TENS device 100 comprises two different cathode-side detection circuits (i.e., monitoring unit 500, including its classifying unit 502; and monitoring unit 512, including its classifying unit 513) to identify the on-skin status of the TENS device, depending on whether the TENS device is in its therapy mode or its non-therapy mode.

More particularly, when TENS device 100 is in its therapy mode, the cathode side detection circuit shown in FIG. 4 (i.e., monitoring unit 500, including classifying unit 502) may be used to detect the on-skin/off-skin condition of TENS device 100, with the equivalent circuit 280 of FIG. 5 representing the “on-skin”condition and with the equivalent circuit 290 of FIG. 6 representing the “off-skin” condition.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that when TENS device 100 is in its non-therapy mode, the cathode side detection circuit shown in FIG. 7 (i.e., monitoring unit 512, including classifying unit 513) may be used to detect the on-skin/off-skin condition of TENS device 100, with the equivalent circuit 260 of FIG. 8 representing the “on-skin” condition and with the equivalent circuit 270 of FIG. 9 representing the “off-skin” condition.

It will be appreciated that TENS device 100 preferably includes automatic selection circuitry for determining whether the output of the cathode side detection circuit of FIG. 4 (i.e., monitoring unit 500, including classifying unit 502), or whether the output of the cathode side detection circuit of FIG. 7 (i.e., monitoring unit 512, including classifying unit 513), is to be used to determine the on-skin/off-skin condition of TENS device 100. In other words, TENS device 100 preferably includes circuitry which automatically uses the cathode side detection circuit of FIG. 4 (i.e., monitoring unit 500, including classifying unit 502) to determine the on-skin/off-skin condition of TENS device 100 when TENS device 100 is in its therapy mode, and the cathode side detection circuit of FIG. 7 (i.e., monitoring unit 512, including classifying unit 513) to determine the on-skin/off-skin condition of TENS device 100 when TENS device 100 is in its non-therapy mode.

It will also be appreciated that analysis unit 505 of TENS device 100 is configured to use an aggregation of the outputs of monitoring unit 500 (including classifying unit 502) and monitoring unit 512 (including classifying unit 513) to determine the on-skin time duration of the TENS device, since TENS device 100 may be worn continuously across various therapy and non-therapy time periods. In other words, it is important that analysis unit 505 be reading the on-skin flags of both classifying unit 502 and classifying unit 513 so as to obtain an accurate measure of the total on-skin time duration of the TENS device.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that analysis unit 505 may be configured to use various measures to identify a threshold on-skin time duration, e.g., analysis unit 505 may be configured to send an alert instruction to feedback unit 510 when the total constant, uninterrupted-contact on-skin time exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., when the total constant, uninterrupted-contact on-skin time exceeds 4 hours), or analysis unit 505 may be configured to send an alert instruction to feedback unit 510 when the total on-skin time within a given time period exceeds a predetermined number (e.g., when analysis unit 505 detects 8 hours of on-skin time within a time period of 10 hours), etc.

Again, analysis unit 505 comprises an appropriately-programmed circuit module configured to use an appropriate measure to identify a threshold on-skin time duration. The construction of the appropriately-programmed circuit module of analysis unit 505 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.

Alerting the User when the on-Skin Time of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) Device Exceeds a Threshold

To maintain a healthy skin condition, it is important for the skin area under the TENS device to be re-exposed to open air after a total on-skin time duration of the TENS device exceeds a threshold.

In one form of the present invention, TENS device 100 is configured so that when analysis unit 505 determines that the total on-skin time of the TENS device exceeds a threshold, the TENS device then provides feedback and a reminder (prompt) to the user using feedback unit 510, e.g., through electro-tactile feedback or other means.

The total on-skin time duration threshold can be set by the device manufacturer with a default value. The total on-skin time duration threshold can also be set by the user or by the recommendation of a healthcare provider based on the condition of the user (e.g., skin condition, age, gender, etc.). The total on-skin time duration threshold may also be different for daytime use and for nighttime use.

In another form of the present invention, analysis unit 505 of the TENS device is configured so that the “effective” on-skin time duration is used to determine when the TENS device should activate the reminder for the user (instead of using the “total on-skin time duration” to trigger the reminder for the user). Effective on-skin time can be just the total accumulated time in which the TENS device has been on-skin, either during a therapy period, a non-therapy period, or a combination of therapy and non-therapy periods. The effective on-skin time calculation can also assign a different (higher) weight to the time period in which stimulation is on-going during therapy in order to take into consideration an additional skin irritation effect caused by the TENS stimulating current. Further, the weight factor during the stimulation time period can be made to be proportional to the stimulation intensity. The effective on-skin time calculation can also use electrode-skin impedance as a weight factor to the time period in which the impedance is measured to account for various electrode-skin contact conditions, as well as adverse changes in skin conditions that are reflected in the impedance (such as a change in the electrode-skin capacitance due to inflammation).

The feedback to the user provided by feedback unit 510 can be the delivery of a sequence of electric stimulation pulses with a distinct pattern so that it will be recognized by the user as a signal to “air-out” the skin under the device. The pulse train can have a constant intensity or variable intensities with the aim to attract the user's attention. The feedback can be haptic perception via mechanical vibrations. The feedback can be disabled at night when the device determines that the user is asleep in order to avoid waking the user. The feedback can also be presented to an external device such as an application running on a nearby smartphone (preferably a smartphone which has been authenticated for secure communications with TENS device 100). Another means of feedback can be an alert to a caregiver of the user (e.g., via text message) if the user is unable to initiate the device removal action on his or her own.

The effective device on-skin time can also be used as a part of metrics to determine the TENS utilization profile of a given user. For example, the percentage of the on-skin time that is devoted to actual TENS stimulation may be indicative of the severity of the pain of the user, based on the assumption that the user would initiate a pain-relieving TENS stimulation session more often if the severity of the pain is higher.

Modifications of the Preferred Embodiments

It should be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for providing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy to a user, said apparatus comprising: a stimulation unit for electrically stimulating at least one nerve of the user; an electrode array connectable to said stimulation unit, said electrode array comprising a plurality of electrodes for electrical stimulation of the at least one nerve of the user; a monitoring unit electrically connected to said stimulation unit for monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array; an analysis unit for analyzing said on-skin status of said electrode array to determine the effective on-skin time of said electrode array; and a feedback unit for alerting the user when said analysis unit determines that the effective on-skin time exceeds a threshold.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein monitoring of the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with the same electrical stimulation as that used to stimulate the at least one nerve of the user.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein monitoring of the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with different electrical stimulation than that used to stimulate the at least one nerve of the user.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the electrical stimulation used for monitoring of the on-skin status of said electrode array has an intensity that is below the electrotactile sensation threshold of the user.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein monitoring of the on-skin status of said electrode array is achieved by comparing a target stimulation intensity level with an actual stimulation intensity level delivered by said stimulation unit through said electrode array to the user.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said target stimulation intensity level is the stimulation intensity level providing therapeutic benefit to the user.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said target simulation intensity level is a pre-determined stimulation intensity level.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said pre-determined stimulation intensity level is 5 milliamp.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said monitoring unit comprises a voltage divider, and further wherein monitoring of the on-skin status of said electrode array is achieved by comparing a target threshold value with an actual output value from said voltage divider when the electrical stimulation is a constant voltage source applied to an input of said voltage-divider.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the voltage of the constant voltage source is 20 volts.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said monitoring unit comprises an electronic component, and further wherein said voltage-divider output is a voltage drop across said electronic component.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said input of said voltage-divider is applied to said electronic component and to a stimulator load approximating the electrode-skin interface created by said electrode array placed on the skin of the user and connected to said stimulation unit.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the effective on-skin time is a summation of consecutive time intervals during which the on-skin status of said electrode array is affirmative.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the effective on-skin time is a weighted summation of consecutive time intervals during which the on-skin status of said electrode array is affirmative, wherein said effective on-skin time is weighted by a weight factor.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said weight factor for each time interval is a function of current intensity passing through the stimulator load during that time interval.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said weight factor for each time interval is a function of measured impedance value of the stimulator load for that time interval.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said feedback unit is continuously active.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said feedback unit provides a display of on-skin time.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said feedback unit is activated only when the effective on-skin time exceeds an on-skin time threshold.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said feedback unit provides a sequence of electrical stimulation pulses delivered to the user.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said feedback unit provides a sequence of mechanical vibration pulses to the user.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said feedback unit provides a notification to a separate, authenticated device.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said separate, authenticated device comprises a smartphone connected to said feedback unit by a wireless communication protocol.
 24. A method for monitoring the on-skin time of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device for providing TENS therapy to at least one nerve of a user through an electrode array, said method comprising the steps of: applying the electrode array to the surface of the user's skin to provide electrical contact between the electrode array and the skin of the user; electrically stimulating said at least one nerve of the user with an electrical stimulator connected to the electrode array; monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array; analyzing the on-skin status of said electrode array to determine the effective on-skin time; and alerting the user of the effective on-skin time of said electrode array.
 25. A method according to claim 24 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with the same electrical stimulation as that used to stimulate the at least one nerve of the user.
 26. A method according to claim 24 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with different electrical stimulation than that used to stimulate the at least one nerve of the user.
 27. A method according to claim 26 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with electrical stimulation pulses having a constant current intensity level.
 28. A method according to claim 26 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with electrical stimulation pulses having a constant voltage intensity level.
 29. A method according to claim 24 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with electrical stimulation having an intensity level providing therapeutic benefit to the user.
 30. A method according to claim 24 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is accomplished with electrical stimulation having an intensity below the electrotactile sensation threshold of the user.
 31. A method according to claim 24 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is determined by comparing a target stimulation intensity level with an actual stimulation intensity level delivered by the electrical stimulator through said electrode array to the user.
 32. A method according to claim 24 wherein monitoring the on-skin status of said electrode array is determined by comparing a target threshold value with an actual voltage-divider output when the electrical stimulation is a constant voltage source applied to an input of the voltage-divider.
 33. A method according to claim 32 wherein the voltage-divider output is a voltage drop across an electronic component.
 34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the voltage-divider input is applied to said electronic component and a stimulator load approximating the electrode-skin interface created by said electrode array placed on the skin of the user and connected to said electrical stimulator.
 35. A method according to claim 24 wherein the effective on-skin time is a summation of consecutive time intervals during which the on-skin status of said electrode array is affirmative.
 36. A method according to claim 24 wherein the effective on-skin time is a weighted summation of consecutive time intervals during which the on-skin status of said electrode array is affirmative, wherein said effective on-skin time is weighted by a weight factor.
 37. A method according to claim 36 wherein the weight factor for each time interval is a function of current intensity passing through the stimulator load during that time interval.
 38. A method according to claim 36 wherein the weight factor for each time interval is a function of measured impedance value of the stimulator load for that time interval.
 39. A method according to claim 24 wherein the user is alerted to the effective on-skin time by a display of on-skin time.
 40. A method according to claim 24 wherein the user is alerted to the effective on-skin time only when the effective on-skin time exceeds an effective on-skin time threshold.
 41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the user is alerted to the effective on-skin time by a sequence of electrical stimulation pulses delivered to the user.
 42. A method according to claim 40 wherein the user is alerted to the effective on-skin time by a sequence of mechanical vibration pulses delivered to the user.
 43. A method according to claim 40 wherein the user is alerted to the effective on-skin time by a notification to a separate, authenticated device.
 44. A method according to claim 43 wherein said device comprises a smartphone connected with to the TENS device via a wireless communication protocol. 